California grid prepares for solar eclipse

As a total solar eclipse approaches for North America, California electricity regulators have launched a voluntary demand response program designed to reduce power consumption during the eclipse while solar panel output is reduced.

The eclipse will occur on August 21, 2017, and is projected to reduce solar photovoltaic production in the California ISO region by 4,194 megawatts.  Taking gross load increases and estimated wind production into account, CAISO has been told to expect a net load increase of 6,008 MW during the eclipse.

According to the nation's electric reliability organization, NERC, the August 21 eclipse "is not expected to impact the reliability of the bulk power system."  But as NERC also noted, "As the number of photovoltaic generators on the power system increases, the risk created by solar eclipses to reliable system operations will increase as well."

Now, the California Public Utilities Commission has launched a "Do Your Thing for the Sun" or "Cal Eclipse" program.  On its website, the Commission asks, "While our utilities and grid operator have all the tools necessary to manage the grid during the eclipse, what if millions of Californians stepped in to allow our hard working sun to take a break, rather than relying on expensive and inefficient natural gas peaking power plants?"

The website asks consumers to "Take the Pledge", emphasizing the value of "joining a movement of Californians who are taking action during the eclipse to give the sun a break by saving energy and reducing GHG emissions." According to a two-page FAQ posted on the website, consumers can reduce electricity consumption by turning off electronics when leaving, and permanently decrease electricity consumption with energy efficiency measures.  Actions suggested on the pledge website include replacing light bulbs with LEDs, reducing lighting use and electronics charging, unplugging unused appliances, and increasing air conditioning temperature setpoints by 2-5 degrees.

According to the Commission's FAQ, "There is no reason to anticipate any eclipse-related electric service outages because of the reduced solar generation."

USDA REAP loan guarantee Maine funding available

Funding is available for energy projects at Maine's rural small businesses and agricultural producers through the USDA Rural Development agency's Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).  At stake is about $200 million in guaranteed loan funds available to finance renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in fiscal year 2016.

Since 2008, the USDA REAP program has provided grants and loan guarantees for renewable and energy efficiency projects at qualifying rural small businesses and agricultural producers.  Its loan program helps finance renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements.  Typical projects awarded funding in previous rounds include biomass fueled anaerobic digesters and biodiesel production, solar, wind, geothermal, efficient lighting conversions, motor upgrades, building envelope and HVAC improvements. 

REAP describes its loan guarantee program as lender-driven.  Usually, a qualifying farm or business will approach a lender to discuss financing a proposed project.  That lender then requests the USDA Rural Development loan guarantee, and if approved, makes and services the loan.  Guaranteed loan amounts can range from $5,000 to $25 million.  The guaranteed loan amount can cover up to 75% of the total eligible project cost, while 25% of project costs must come from other sources like business equity or other borrowed funds.

USDA Rural Development provides more information on its website about how to apply for a USDA REAP loan guarantee.  The Preti Flaherty team helps our clients understand how to benefit from REAP funding and other incentive programs for renewable energy and energy efficiency.  Contact Todd Griset to learn more.

August 3, 2010 - Horsetooth Reservoir; Maine wind; firewood

If you're feeling the heat today, perhaps you'll take comfort in this wintry picture from last January.  You're looking west across Horsetooth Reservoir outside Fort Collins, Colorado.  Horsetooth Reservoir is part of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project, which includes water diversion from the west slope to feed the more populous Front Range area of Colorado.  Horsetooth Reservoir also provides water storage for hydroelectric generation.

The Maine Forest Service is reminding people that there is a ban on using out-of-state firewood in Maine, due to concerns over invasive species including insects and fungal pathogens.  Firewood is a major source of energy in Maine, but pests like the Asian Longhorned Beetle threaten to severely damage Maine's valuable forests.  The Asian Longhorned Beetle is already present in Massachusetts, but has not officially been documented in Maine. Today brings more coverage of yesterday's nomination of David Littell to fill the vacancy on the Maine Public Utilities Commission. Here's an editorial by Norman Kalloch in the Lewiston Sun Journal criticizing what the author sees as hype over wind energy.  He compares current tropes like "Maine is the Saudi Arabia of wind" to past busts, like nuclear power being perceived as "too cheap to meter.  (This isn't Mr. Kalloch's first such editorial; here's one he wrote this spring.)  Here's the punchline: "In reality, commercial wind power is an unreliable, environmentally degrading, overpriced form of power generation. Nothing short of massive amounts of public money can make those projects happen, because no developer in his right mind would undertake a project without public money." We're in for a blast of solar radiation tonight, as ions thrown off by the Sun during Sunday's coronal mass ejection. How about energy efficient street lighting?  The town of Lexington, Massachusetts, has approved a $930,000 plan to replace existing bulbs with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs).  Lexington's 3,400 streetlights have consumed nearly 2 million kilowatt-hours per year; this project will save 1.3 million kWh per year, totalling almost $190,000 annually.  This project is projected to pay for itself within 3.6 years, thanks in part to a $237,724 grant from utility NStar.